Footsteps in the Dark was an awesome play! Thanks Harry for inviting us! The cast was phenomenal, I…read morecan't wait to buy it on DVD...

From the owner: Gaston School of the Arts offers quality education in the arts for the community. We offer classes…read moreand private lessons in art, drama, and music. Gaston School of the Arts also has a playhouse which produces shows for the community to enjoy.

Best dance studio in the area! I'm a former dancer and instructor myself (didn't teach at BEDP) and…read morewhen I was searching for a dance school for my daughter no others compared! Great opportunities for performances. Great prices for classes and all those 'extras' (shoes, costumes, etc) plus Ms. Barbie is gold! Always smiling and brings positive attitude through everything. I'm so grateful we have this resource in our town.

Office staff rather sit next door at the coffee shop (if they even show up) instead of in the dance…read morestudio helping people.

Ms. Lynn is always patient with the kids - her feathers are never ruffled! Class begins and ends…read moreon time. Occasionally, there are too many 3-4-5 year olds in the class. I know they are not jumping in the air and doing spin turns but some of them are just not ready to focus on tap and ballet. Because the class schedule is 45 minutes, the waiting room is often crowded especially as one class is letting out and another is coming in.

My son has attended East Voyager Academy for four years. He and our family has enjoyed the…read moreteachers, staff and students. This is a wonderful school for grades Pre-K up until 8th grade.

Everyone is respectful and kind . Yuli loves all the teachers and she has a great time in school.read more

Half a Star - A Disaster in the Making…read more If you're looking for a school where your child's artistic dreams will be crushed under the weight of sheer mediocrity, then Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy (SCSA) is the place for you! From the moment you walk in, you'll be greeted with disorganization, underwhelming facilities, and the kind of lackluster enthusiasm that would make even the most passionate artist want to switch to accounting. The "artistic" programs? Don't even get me started. The theater department seems to think "improvisation" is an excuse for zero preparation, while the music department appears to be run by someone who still believes the flute is a "new" instrument. You'd have better luck finding creative inspiration in a pile of outdated textbooks. And the teachers? Well, let's just say they're more interested in collecting their paycheck than nurturing any actual talent. The level of support for students is akin to a slow-moving glacier--by the time they "help," your child will have long given up on their artistic ambitions. Oh, and don't forget about the building itself--if you like your art school to feel like it was built in 1982 and hasn't been touched since, then you'll feel right at home. The classrooms smell vaguely like regret and dust, and the hallways echo with the sounds of students contemplating their life choices. Would I recommend this place? Only if you want your child to leave feeling like they've been in a creative vacuum for four years. Half a star for effort, but honestly, I wouldn't trust them to teach my pet rock how to perform "Twinkle, Twinkle."

Our experience with SCSA has been extremely disappointing, especially at the middle school level…read more From the outside, the school may appear structured and academically focused, but once you look deeper, you see an environment that is rigid, unsupportive, and frankly unhealthy for students--particularly during the critical middle school years. One of the most troubling aspects is the complete lack of free periods or recess for middle schoolers. These are kids--not adults--and expecting them to sit through class after class all day long with no real mental or physical break is simply unacceptable. There is no time built into the schedule for them to unwind, socialize, get fresh air, or just be kids. This is not only developmentally inappropriate, but also detrimental to their mental health, focus, and overall well-being. The school seems to believe that constant academic pressure equals success, but it's actually creating burnout and anxiety in students who should still be learning how to balance work and rest. Equally concerning is the attitude and behavior of many of the teachers. Rather than fostering a supportive and respectful classroom environment, several teachers come across as impatient, short-tempered, and even rude. Students are often afraid to ask questions because they don't want to be snapped at or dismissed. There is very little emotional support, and little to no effort to build positive relationships with students. It seems like many teachers are overwhelmed, but that should never be taken out on the kids. Discipline and structure are important in any school, but at SCSA, the emphasis on control has completely overshadowed compassion, flexibility, and student engagement. There is little room for creativity, curiosity, or joy. It feels like a place where students are expected to conform and comply, rather than thrive and grow. What's especially frustrating is how resistant the school seems to feedback. Concerns brought to administration are often minimized or brushed aside, and there is a general unwillingness to acknowledge that students are struggling. It feels like parents and students are not being heard, and that's incredibly disheartening. I truly hope SCSA re-evaluates its priorities and starts to put student health, development, and dignity at the center of its mission. Until then, I cannot recommend this school to any family looking for a balanced, respectful, or supportive environment for their child--especially during the middle school years, when those things matter most.